The race for the title

[danielneeds]

It's called a prediction...no one is getting carried away.

People really do need to stop shitting themselves everytime someone mentions that Arsenal won't make top four.. as if talking about it is tempting fate or something.

I'm not shitting myself - merely pointing out that every year they go out of the CL last 16 looking like a shambles and every year they get top four. Know your history or be doomed to repeat it and all that...

 

[basespur]

Well, it is dire, if our goal is to compete for top honours....Context of that stat changes if the club is Burnley or Tottenham

True, although we've played every team in the top half away already and have 6 away games left against teams down the league. We've got to make those count with maybe 5 wins.

 

[Shadydan]

I'm not shitting myself - merely pointing out that every year they go out of the CL last 16 looking like a shambles and every year they get top four. Know your history or be doomed to repeat it and all that...

Yeah mate it's just a prediction based on what I see with my very own eyes that is all, really couldn't give a crap what's gone on in previous seasons my thoughts are based on what's happening this season.

Lets be real, the only reason no one wants to say it is because they've been burnt before.

 

[SUIYHA]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

 

[RichieS]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

On the contrary, the facts show that our backup players have, in fact, been very good this season. My own eyes tell me that Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Winks and Son have all been at worst decent.

 

[Bulletspur]

I see it about all the other games outside of those two.

For example, say we went on and won every single game, but lost those two - we'll be in a bloody good position!

I wouldn't pin it all on 1 or 2 big games, its the rest thats important, don't fuck it up against those lower down the league, and the big games are bonus points.

Was thinking the same thing yesterday. It would be good that when we come to play the Arse and Manu, we are in a position that any points gained would be a bonus. We could then play them without the additional pressure, therefore actually beating them as well!

 

[absolute bobbins]

Eriksen is a special player but Alli can drop in and Son can take Alli's place. Or Winks is quite adept at keeping the ball moving and ticking over in a similar way to Eriksen. Neither as good at what Eriksen does but both can offer similar.

On the other hand who else can give us 20+ premier league goals at the moment. (Hopefully Janssen next year).

Winks can do it. He's so assured on the ball and has a great eye for a pass

 

[Shadydan]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

I know it's difficult but can people please stop going back to previous seasons to conclude their analysis of this season, it really is such a contradiction especially when you're picking and choosing dates and matches as to when we faltered or lost.

 

[Bobbins]

On the contrary, the facts show that our backup players have, in fact, been very good this season. My own eyes tell me that Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Winks and Son have all been at worst decent.

I'm going to guess he was hinting more at the Sissoko, Janssen type players...

Realistically our backups are a mixed bag. Play them altogether with hardly any first eleven players and they look incredibly mediocre. Scatter them into the normal starting line-up in ones and twos and they can hold their own generally, with the exception of the afore-mentioned two.

 

[RichieS]

I'm going to guess he was hinting more at the Sissoko, Janssen type players...

Realistically our backups are a mixed bag. Play them altogether with hardly any first eleven players and they look incredibly mediocre. Scatter them into the normal starting line-up in ones and twos and they can hold their own generally, with the exception of the afore-mentioned two.

Which surely will be what we do from here on out?

 

[UpTownSpur]

Winks can do it. He's so assured on the ball and has a great eye for a pass

I think he's not just Dembele's back up but Eriksen's too - as well as being able to spot a pass the boy's got goals in him. He can shoot well with either foot and that's what you need in that position.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

I'll probably have socks for Xmas.

 

[ebzrascal]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

FFS talk about a glass half empty!!

We should be favorites for these games if we play with the right attitude and intensity...

 

[Bobbins]

Which surely will be what we do from here on out?

Hopefully, I'm not really offering an opinion either way.

 

[ebzrascal]

I'm going to guess he was hinting more at the Sissoko, Janssen type players...

Realistically our backups are a mixed bag. Play them altogether with hardly any first eleven players and they look incredibly mediocre. Scatter them into the normal starting line-up in ones and twos and they can hold their own generally, with the exception of the afore-mentioned two.

To be fair to Sissoko and Janssen even though they have not been at the levels expected they have both won us points this season. I think they can both contribute in the run-in

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

Then we better secure top 4 by being better than these teams, don't we?

 

[slartibartfast]

I'll probably have socks for Xmas.

@whitesocks know about this?

 

[Blackrat1299]

Knew I couldn't rely on the spammers to do the right thing!

 

[slartibartfast]

Not sure what West Hams game plan was. Got Carroll up front but seemed reluctant to put ball wide and get it in the box. Looked like he was getting bit pissed off.
Nolan for England??? Jeez please.
And yet another case of defence pushing so far up they get hit on the counter again, and again, and again, and again yet it still doesn't register maybe we need to drop a bit. Nope. Just carry on as instructed before game started.

 

[Doctor Dinkey]

Our final five games are going to be VERY hard. I don't know when we're playing Palace but Allardyce teams in front of their own fans at the business end of the season are normally tough games too.

Leicester (A) - May need the points to stay up, even if not they're starting to look like the Leicester of last season again who were almost impossible to beat.

Arsenal (H) - They will be pumped for the last derby at the Lane too, and their precious 4th place will depend on them getting a result.

West Ham (A) - Their cup final. Will be a very tough game.

Man Utd (H) - Even if this game will have greater significance for us, they will still likely need the points for CL and I can see us getting Mourinho'd.

Hull (A) - Final day, they could need the performance of their lives to stay up. I still remember us losing at home to Coventry to let them stay up on the final day, and we only managed to beat Birmingham because Wigan scored so they threw everyone forward in the last minute to look for a winner. Even if they're already down, you only need to look at the Newcastle game last season or Burnley in 2010, both times where we could finish above Arsenal, to not get too complacent.


If anything like the burnout that happened in the final few games of last season (or in some of Poch's seasons at Espanyol) happens again, we will get destroyed in some of those games, especially as our backup players have been shite this season.

For those reasons, as good as we've been in the last couple of months and even if we've got a six point cushion, I still think the likelihood is that we'll finish outside the top four, and that even if we do "only" come 4th, our fanbase should recognise what a brilliant achievement that will have been.

Well I'm known as a pessimistic doom merchant, but I do think that your reading of the situation is unduly downbeat. I agree that United may present a very tricky obstacle at the Lane, but the rest of the five games I think are very negotiable, and I can certainly see us at least drawing at Leicester. We are a very good team and are simply playing better than most other teams at the moment. I'm very confident we can finish third again.
Its next year, playing at bloody Wembley, that I'm worried about...